The Strawberry Margarita

About The Strawberry Margarita

Delving into the world of flavored Margaritas, we bring you the Strawberry Margarita. This recipe can be served frozen or on the rocks like a traditional Margarita. Our recommendation is to make this recipe frozen, as it helps to smooth the flavors together and create an easy finish. You could substitute the salt rim for a sugar rim although it doesn’t typically work with tequila that well.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tequila

• 1½ oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Lime Juice

• ½ Cup of Fresh or Frozen Strawberries

• 1 Cup of Ice

• Salt (for rim of glass)

• Strawberry Slices for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Strawberry

Method:

Blend all ingredients with ice until well mixed. Strain into margarita glass rimmed with salt.

The Lava Flow

About The Lava Flow

Two of the most popular frozen cocktails in the world are the Pina Colada and the Strawberry Daiquiri; so there was an idea that asked, what if we could combine them? The answer to that question is the Lava Flow. The red of the strawberries used in the recipe represent the “lava” taking over the white of the Pina Colada. This visually pleasing dessert cocktail has many many variations and we suggest using our recipe as a starting point for your own perfect recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Silver Rum

• 2½ oz. Cream of Coconut

• 2 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 2 oz. Strawberries

• 1 Small Banana

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Complex

• Flavor:       Tropical

Method:

Blend the strawberries and the rum together until well blended. Pour into serving glass. Clean blender and add banana, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and at least 1 cup of ice and blend until smooth. Pour this mix into the serving glass slowly to get visual effect.

The Frozen Daiquiri

About The Frozen Daiquiri

The Daiquiri is constantly altered when frozen to add certain fruit finishes or ingredients. The reason behind this methodology for daiquiris and margaritas is that the fruit and alcohol is actually smoothed out by the frozen presentation. The original Daiquiri flavor can stand on its own when frozen as well. The compliment of lime and rum is a time honored combination and it continues in this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Silver Rum

• 1½ oz. Lime Juice

• 1½ oz. Simple Syrup

• 1 Cup of Ice

• Lime Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Add ingredients to a blender and blend until well mixed. Pour into chilled glass.

The PB&J

About The PB&J

Who doesn’t like PB&J Sandwiches? So obviously everyone likes the shot version just as well! Now technically we’re not using peanut butter, but hazelnut liqueur is close. This shooter is sweet and often very popular. I don’t think dessert shots exist, but this would definitely be in that category.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Raspberry Liqueur

• 1 part Hazelnut Liqueur

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Shooter

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Shake with ice and strain into shot glass.

The Peach Margarita

About The Peach Margarita

The Peach Margarita is more subtle flavored Margarita option than its counterparts like the boldly flavored Strawberry Margarita. This is due to the inherent smooth sweetness of peaches verses something more tart like strawberries or blueberries. Some recipes will opt to use fresh peaches whereas other recommendations include strictly using peach schnapps. The truth of the matter is that the natural sweetness of a fresh peach is actually well complimented by the artificial flavored peach schnapps; so the trick is to use both!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tequila

• 1 oz. Peach Schnapps

• ½ oz. Triple Sec

• ¼ oz. Lime Juice

• 1 Medium-sized Peach; Skinned & Pitted.

• 1 Cup of Ice

• Salt (for rim of glass)

• Peach Slice for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Peach

Method:

Blend all ingredients with ice until well mixed. Strain into margarita glass rimmed with salt.

The A.M.F.

About The A.M.F.

Adios MotherF*cker! The legendary college cocktail known as the AMF is an offshoot of the Long Island Iced Tea but falls just short of becoming a Trash Can. Incredibly spirit forward, this cocktail packs a powerful punch and will knock you on your ass quickly. Make sure to keep a limit of two per night to keep your mind in check, otherwise your common sense will be saying AMF.

Ingredients:

• ½ oz. Vodka

• ½ oz. Rum

• ½ oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Tequila

• ½ oz. Blue Curacao

• 2 oz. Sour Mix

• Top Lemon-Lime Soda

• 1 Lemon Wheel/Maraschino Cherry for Garnish.

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

In a cocktail shaker, add all of the ingredients except the soda and shake with ice. Strain into ice filled serving glass and top with soda and garnish.

The Bahama Mama

About The Bahama Mama

The Bahama Mama hails from the 1920s/1930s depending on which origin you choose to believe. Some say it was invented during the Prohibition Era as the Caribbean was a rum smuggling base, while others believe it was named after a famous Caribbean dancer who went by the name Bahama Mama in the 1930s. Regardless, the Bahama Mama is a world reknown favorite tropical cocktail. It is simple to make and involves flavorful juices and a full cadre of rum options.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Silver Rum

• 1 oz. Coconut Rum

• ½ oz. Dark Rum

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• 2 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 2 oz. Orange Juice

• Splash of Grenadine

• Pineapple Wedge and Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       5.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Tropical

Method:

Build rums and juices in a mixing glass and stir well, then pour into ice filled served glass. Drop the splash of Grenadine into the cocktail and garnish with a cherry and pineapple wedge.

The Paloma

About The Paloma

Meet the popular Mexican cocktail that is enjoyed all over the world. This grapefruit and lime flavored juice cocktail is perfect on a hot sunny day. The range of garnishes available for the Paloma include lime, grapefruit slices, kosher salt, among other options. The Paloma is similar in composition to the Greyhound but adds a few other steps to make itself unique.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Silver Tequila

• 3 oz. Grapefruit Juice

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• 2 Tbsp. Simple Sugar

• Fill Soda Water

• Lime & Grapefruit Slices and/or salt for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build all ingredients in mixing glass minus club soda and stir well. Pour into ice filled and salt rimmed glass and top with club soda and garnishes.

The Sea Breeze

About The Sea Breeze

The Sea Breeze is an offshoot of the Cape Codder and the Salty Dog and has undergone many recipe changes in the last 100 years. Originally containing Gin, Brandy, and Grenadine; it would evolve a few more times until the 1960s when the modern recipe came into favor. The Sea Breeze, Cape Codder, and Bay Breeze were amongst the most popular cocktails of the 1960s and 1970s before becoming generic cocktails and base recipes for further variations.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Grapefruit Juice

• 4 oz. Cranberry Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

The Caribou Lou

About The Caribou Lou

The Caribou Lou is a hip-hop inspired cocktail that features the infamous 151-Proof Rums. This cocktails is sweet but strong. The citrus of the pineapple juice does wonders to mask the harsh bite of the overproof rum and the coconut rum is also able to smooth out the finish a tad bit. Buyer beware however, this drink sneaks up on you in the worst way.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. 151-Proof Rum

• 1.5 oz. Coconut Rum

• 6 oz. Pineapple Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweetly Strong

Method:

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into highball glass with fresh ice.

The Paralyzer

About The Paralyzer

The Paralyzer is a cocktail that’s meant to make you stop in your tracks and think about the ingredients. A rare category of drinks combine milk and soda, and this is one of those cocktails. The flavor profile is quite diverse, combining coffee, cola, milk, and vodka flavors. The cocktail goes down fairly smooth and is certainly an eye opener at the bar.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Coffee Liqueur

• 2½ oz. Cola

• Splash of Milk

• Lemon Wedge & Maraschino Cherry for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Coffee

Method:

Stir Cola, Coffee Liqueur, and Vodka together. Add splash of milk and garnish.

The Sloe Comfortable Screw

About The Sloe Comfortable Screw

A fun and awkward cocktail to order at a crowded bar, the Sloe Comfortable Screw is an offshoot of the former IBA Classic, The Screwdriver. The addition of Southern Comfort© and Sloe Gin create a sweeter finish with a bit of extra kick. This cocktail is a perfect brunch or early afternoon drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Southern Comfort©

• ½ oz. Sloe Gin

• Fill Fresh Orange Juice

• Orange Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build ingredients in serving glass with ice. Stir until well mixed.

The Trash Can

About The Trash Can

Meet the party starter and the party ender. The Trash Can is essentially as it sounds; a concoction that combines seven spirits and an energy drink. The combination of alcohol and the energy drink basically puts your body into overdrive whilst also slowing it down, creating a fairly nightmarish situation inside of you. This recipe is a Long Island Iced Tea on steroids, we recommend not wasting your time creating the Long Island component from scratch since the schnapps and energy drink will mask the alcohol anyway. (Pre-Mix Long Island is the way to go on this one).

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Long Island Iced Tea (Pre-Made)

• 1½ oz. Blue Curacao

• 1 oz. Peach Schnapps

• 1 Red Bull© Energy Drink

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Death

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Like Everything

Method:

Build ingredients in serving glass with ice. Pour Red Bull© to mix. Technically, you should crush the can into the drink and keep it there (so it fills the glass as it empties).

The Hairball

About The Hairball

The affectionately named Hairball cocktail is a combination of the Snakebite, Black and Tan, and Irish Car Bomb cocktails. Featuring a mixture of Hard Cider and Lager Beer, this recipe is slightly smoother than the Black & Tan. This recipe is going to be all about your choice of cider, beer, and whiskey.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Hard Cider

• 1 part Lager- style Beer

• 1½ oz. Irish Whiskey

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4 Stars

• Served: Neat

• Strength: Strong

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Spirit Forward

Method:

Combine Hard Cider and Lager Beer in a pint glass and drop the shot of whiskey into the glass. Chug responsibly.

The Bay Breeze

About The Bay Breeze

The sister cocktail of the Sea Breeze; the Bay Breeze substitutes Pineapple Juice into its recipe, replacing the Grapefruit Juice of the Sea Breeze. As with the former, the Bay Breeze became a staple cocktail of the 1960s and into the 1970s. Arguably the Bay Breeze has spawned many more varaints than its older sister cocktail. The Bay Breeze is a sweeter version using the highly flavorful pineapple juice to increase taste and hide alcohol content.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 4 oz. Cranberry Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

The Blue Margarita

About The Blue Margarita

Meet the Blue Margarita, which is exactly what it sounds; a margarita that’s blue in color. This simple offshoot variation of the original involves substituting the original Triple Sec in the recipe for Blue Curacao. Despite the visual difference of the liqueurs, they actually have a very similar flavor profile so the taste of this cocktail is only slightly adjusted from the original.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tequila

• 1½ oz. Blue Curacao

• 1 oz. Lime Juice

• Salt (for rim of glass)

• Orange Wheel & Cherry or Lime for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Margarita

• Strength:    Strong

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Spirit

Method:

Pour all ingredients into shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass rimmed with salt.

The Boulevardier

About The Boulevardier

The 1920s cousin of the Negroni, the Boulevardier is currently enjoying a large revival in the cocktail scene. Invented by an American writer that published a newspaper in Paris known as the “Boulevardier,” this cocktail is an offshoot of fellow IBA cocktail the Negroni with the notable change of gin to bourbon. The substitution creates a different flavor profile and mixes with fellow spirits vermouth and campari to create an entirely new tasting experience.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Bourbon Whiskey

• 1 part Sweet Vermouth

• 1 part Campari

• Orange Peel/Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Build ingredients in lowball glass with ice. Stir gently and garnish with an orange peel and/or maraschino cherry.

The Alabama Slammer

About The Alabama Slammer

The Alabama Slammer is a famous cocktail hailing from the 1980s era of mixology. This cocktail features Southern Comfort© which is a type of whiskey in its own class. The combination of the peach pit made SoCo, orange juice, amaretto, and sloe gin creates a powerful and flavorful cocktail that is sure to keep you and your guests coming back for more. The drink was said to be popularized by Hall of Fame Quarterback Brett Farve, but the drink was already a roaring success in the decade prior.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Southern Comfort©

• 1 oz. Amaretto

• ½ oz. Sloe Gin

• 2 oz. Orange Juice

• Orange Slice for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build ingredients in serving glass with ice. Stir until well mixed.

The Red Sangria

About The Red Sangria

Meet the Empire Mixology Red Sangria. This recipe focuses on the use of red wine (obviously) with various fruits and even a bit of brandy to create that perfect springtime/autumnal wine cocktail. The following recipe is designed for a pitcher although could be scaled down to a single serving as well. Make sure to use YOUR favorite type of red wine as everyone has a unique palette for wine.

Ingredients: (makes a pitcher)

• 1 750mL Bottle of Red Wine

• ½ Cup of Brandy

• 1 Cup Orange Juice

• 8 oz. Club Soda

• ¼ Cup of Granulated Sugar

• 1 Sliced Orange

• 1 Sliced Apple

• 1 Cup of Blueberries

• 1 Cup of Sliced Strawberries

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Stir all ingredients in a pitcher with ice and cut up fruits. Serve chilled and refrigerate after serving.